Bachelor of Social Work

Help Others in Your Community

As society grows and becomes more complex, so do its issues. Social workers play an important part in supporting individuals, groups and communities during difficult times.

Across the country, a critical shortage of social workers persists, and East Texas is no exception. Because of its rural nature, aging population and economic and mental health challenges, a 2018 Texas Comptroller’s report identified a unique need for social workers in the region. UT Tyler’s Bachelor of Social Work fulfills this demand through on-campus and online formats.

Why Major in Social Work at UT Tyler?

Think about how you can serve others through the only public university BSW program within 50 miles of Tyler. Launched in 2021, this affordable, UT-caliber program trains you to develop, assess and evaluate interventions and introduce policies supporting society’s more vulnerable citizens.

At the same time, you explore theories promoting human well-being and learn to apply preventative and intervention methods to social problems at individual, group and community levels.

The BSW program stands on the following strengths:

• Expert Faculty: Our faculty bring their extensive social work experience into the classroom and shape the field’s direction through publication, including articles for “The New Social Worker,” “Social Work Today” and “Exceptional Parent.” The UT System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award has recognized members of our team for their instructional quality.
• Convenience: Choose from face-to-face and online formats. You can select a mix of courses to fit your schedule.
• Community Partnerships: Our strong partnerships with the East Texas community support your professional and personal growth and connect you with enriching opportunities to build experience while assisting others.
• Field Experience: Work between 27-30 hours a week at a community agency during the spring semester of your senior year.
• Collaborations across the Criminal Justice Department and Department of Psychology and Counseling in research, internships and service-learning enhance your studies.
• Student Involvement: Join the Social Work Club at UT Tyler to participate in service projects intended to empower the surrounding community.

Curriculum

The core curriculum delves into such areas as social welfare, human behavior and the rural environment, interviewing techniques, child and family support, group practice, communities and organizations, and critical thinking in social work.

BSW majors take a minimum of 57 semester hours of required courses plus 21 hours of electives.

During the fall of senior year, Pre-Field Orientation examines ethical dilemmas and decision-making, professional behavior and conduct, organizational entry, use of supervision and field instruction policies, and procedures.

To fulfill 420 clock hours of applied experience in an agency setting, field instructors and students complete written learning agreements that identify measurable tasks for attaining practice behaviors and related competencies.

Social Work Major Requirements  Visit the Social Sciences Department

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work?

Social workers specialize their careers in one of four primary areas: child, family and school; healthcare; mental health and substance abuse; or teaching. Out of these, professionals gravitate toward child, family and school cases, although statistics point to good or excellent growth across all sectors.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects rising demand for social workers in Texas, as well as 9% more positions overall through 2031 — faster than the average for all occupations.

Possible entry-level job titles include caseworker, service worker, probation officer, human services specialist or mental health assistant. For accessing more advanced opportunities, UT Tyler’s BSW fulfills requirements for pursuing a Master of Social Work.